Sunday Series answers the questions you didn’t even know you had

Interested in learning how come, how to, what if, or what’s next? Delivering these kinds of answers is one reason behind District 10’s 2016 Sunday Series. The free presentations and discussions tackle different topics— some fun, some serious, some a little of both. Here’s a peek at the lineup; for up-to-the-minute details, see our website: www.district10comopark.org.

Public Works 101: Kathy Lantry, head of Saint Paul’s Department of Public Works, and Cy Kosel, natural resources manager for St. Paul Parks, lead a discussion (and answer questions) about our streets and alleys, as well as most of the things on them, under them, above them, and next to them. We’ll cover plowing to potholes, boulevards to lighting, sewers to trees, short-term and long-term maintenance, and whatever else is on your mind. Details: “Public Works 101,” Sun., Feb. 21, 1pm, Historic Streetcar Station, 1224 Lexington Pkwy. N.

Gardening for the Birds and the Bees: Twin Cities authors Heather Holm and Clay Christensen give us the dirt on how our yards can attract and nourish birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial beasts. They’ll share specific advice about which trees, shrubs, flowers, grasses, and other plantings work best. They’ll also make sure we understand which gardening and yard practices are beneficial--and which are not. Details: “Gardening for the Birds and the Bees,” Sun., Feb. 28, 1pm, Historic Streetcar Station.

The Como Park You Never Knew: What do H.W.S. Cleveland, a prison workhouse, Cozy Lake, Warrendale, Frederick Nussbaumer, the St. Paul City Railway, a buffalo park, Fritz von Schiller, the Sons of Norway, hotel fires, dogsled races, the Longfellow Zoo, a gravel pit, a poem as lovely as a tree, the Oliver Crosby Stonebridge mansion, Hamm’s beer, and Henrik Ibsen have in common? They’re all part of the history of Como Park. Author Timothy Gadban tells you the stories long forgotten and the stories behind the park’s most beloved landmarks. Details: “The Como Park You Never Knew,” Sun., Mar. 6, 1pm, Como Dockside, 1360 Lexington Pkwy. N.

What the Birds are Telling Us: The trumpeter swan. The American white pelican. The common loon. The mallard duck. The bald eagle. The Baltimore oriole. These are just 6 of the 166 bird species in Minnesota whose survival is threatened by climate change. Photographer and birder Monica Bryand of St. Paul shares photos and stories of these birds--part of the special project she is working on through the National and Minnesota Audubon Societies. Details: “What the Birds are Telling Us,” Sun., March 13, 1pm, Auditorium at the Como Zoo and Conservatory Visitors Center.

Later in the Sunday Series:

• “Building a Rain Garden,” Sun., Mar. 20, 1pm, Newman-Benson Chapel at Lyngblomsten, 1415 Almond Ave.

• “The Truth About Saint Paul’s Bike Plan,” Sun., Apr. 10, 1pm, Historic Streetcar Station.

• “Garbage 101,” Sun., Apr. 17, 1pm, Como Park Lutheran Church, 1376 W. Hoyt.

D10 Safety Fair rolls out Apr. 1

Keeping yourself, your family, and your home safe is a nonstop project. We’ll share the best tips available during the District 10 Family Safety Fair, a free event co-sponsored with St. Paul Parks and Recreation on Fri., Apr. 1, 5:30pm. The event is scheduled at North Dale Recreation Center, 1414 N. St. Albans. Representatives from Saint Paul police, fire, and parks; the Postal Service; the Block Nurse Program; and other local organizations will be on hand. They’ll share advice, precautions, and resources on increasing safety at home, for your kids, for elderly relatives, for pets, and more. We’ll cap off the evening with the family friendly movie “Shaun the Sheep” (from the creators of “Chicken Run”).

The movie begins at 7pm.

Join the council?

Nine seats on the Como Community Council Board of Directors will be up for election at District 10’s Annual Meeting on Apr. 19. Elections will be held this year for: Vice Chair; Treasurer; one director from each of the neighborhood’s four sub-districts; and three at-large directors. Any resident of District 10 who is age 18 or older is eligible to run for the board. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization located in District 10. (Boundaries are the parts of St. Paul roughly bounded by Snelling on the west, Larpenteur on the north, Dale on the east, and the rail lines between Energy Park Dr. and Pierce Butler Rte. on the south.)

Board members elected this year will serve from Apr. 26, until April 24, 2018. They are required to attend the monthly Community Council meeting, to serve on at least one committee, and to share other duties.

Candidates interested in running for a board position must submit their name and a brief biography by Tue., Apr. 5. If you’re interested, submit your information or send your questions to: district10@district10comopark.org.